The Muraippenn Custom: From ancient times, a man’s elder sister’s daughter, or even his aunt/uncle’s daughter—i.e., his cousin, has been considered a perfect matrimonial match, in Thamizh Nadu. The girl is referred to as his muraippenn—literally, one on whom he has a claim. This custom is the stuff of legends and folklore; stories abound of young men or heroes who carried off girls in the teeth of opposition, because she happened to be his muraippenn; sometimes, it also gave way to intense strife and conflict, between entire generations
